JP4987667B2 - Navigation device, method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in technology for supporting driving of a vehicle.

  In recent years, navigation devices that have become widespread with the development of automobiles and information processing technology use map data indicating the location of roads, etc., to display the position and direction of the vehicle to be measured from time to time on a surrounding map, A route to a destination designated by a cursor operation or the like is searched and calculated, and guidance guidance such as a traveling direction at a branch point is output along a screen display or electronic voice.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the most common in-vehicle car navigation device among such navigation devices. In the car navigation device of this example, the CPU 70 estimates the current position based on information from the GPS unit 55, the vehicle speed estimation unit 60, and the direction estimation unit 65, and displays the vehicle position on the display unit 75. In addition, by setting a destination from the user interface 80 such as a switch, it is possible to search for a route to the destination and output guidance information such as a traveling direction at an intersection along the route.

  The structure of the map data 85 used for such processing is shown in FIG. Among these, the road shape information is information indicating the shape of the road viewed from the sky, such as how the road bends. The road connection information is information indicating which road is connected to which road. The road type information is information indicating what type each road is, for example, an expressway, a national road or a prefectural road. The traffic regulation information is regulation information indicating whether the road is forbidden or one-way. The road width information is information on the width of the road (for example, 6 meters).

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of route search in the prior art. The route search is executed by the user specifying the start point and the destination point and instructing the search start. First, the road corresponding to the start point is first extracted and stored as a selected road ( Step S03). Next, the road connected to the selected road is searched, and the total cost from the starting road is calculated for each of the searched roads (step S04).

  Next, the road with the lowest cost is found among the roads for which the total cost has been calculated, and that road is stored as the selected road (step S05). If this selected road is a road corresponding to the destination, the route calculation ends (step S06), and if it is not the destination, a loop connected to the selected road is searched and the cost is calculated (step S04).

The “cost” in the above route search is determined from the cost parameter and the road distance, but the cost parameter (also simply referred to as “parameter”) is a value determined by the type of road, and is a road such as an expressway, a national road or a prefectural road. A value is set in advance for each type. For example, national roads are given priority over prefectural roads if they are the same length.

Highway: 1
National highway: 2
Prefectural road: 3
Main road: 3
Narrow street: 5

If such a parameter is set, the cost of the road is the product of this parameter and the distance of the road. That is, for roads of the same distance, the smaller the parameter value, the lower the cost and the higher the priority order selected as a route.

In the route calculation, the lowest cost route that can reach the destination point is calculated by the above processing. In addition to the cost of the road itself, the actual navigation device also calculates the cost of the right / left turn, the load width due to the road width, the degree of traffic congestion, etc., but these are not directly related to the present invention. Omitted.
JP 2006-200989 A

  However, in the conventional route search as described above, the route is determined by comparing the accumulation of costs determined by the type of road, and therefore a large road or a road with a name that tends to be low in cost may be selected as the route. Become more. This is safe for the driver when driving the route for the first time, but when driving on roads that he knows well, such as around his home, the driver knows more efficient roads, There was a problem that the route indicated by the navigation device was often unsatisfactory.

  There is a proposal to realize a route calculation of features that match regional characteristics such as Kansai preferences by changing the overall coefficient of link cost according to the user's home region (Patent Document 1). It did not change the standard of route calculation.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to obtain a route preferred by the driver by switching the route calculation reference in a specific area such as around the home in the navigation device technology. It is to make it easier.

Based on the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle position is sequentially calculated, the navigation means for calculating the route to the destination based on the cost parameter set on the road, and the desired area is specified. A region setting means for accepting setting as a region, a location in the specific region, a first cost parameter group set for each road type outside the specific region, and a second set for each road type in the specific region A storage unit for storing the cost parameter group, and as the cost parameter used in the navigation unit, the first cost parameter group is selected outside the specific area, and the first cost parameter group within the specific area or selecting one of the second cost parameter group, possess a parameter selection means, said parameter selection means, before In the specific area, the vehicle position when performing rerouting off the current route, and selects the second cost parameter group.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the above aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. In a navigation method using a navigation device that guides a moving body, navigation for route calculation is performed by an arithmetic control unit of an electronic circuit or a computer. Means, a region setting unit that receives the setting of the region, a cost parameter storage unit, and a parameter selection unit that selects a cost parameter, and the navigation unit sequentially calculates the vehicle position and road A processing step of calculating a route to the destination based on the cost parameter set in the step, a processing step in which the region setting unit accepts a setting as a specific region for a desired region, and the storage unit stores the specific The first cost cost set for each local location and each road type outside the specific region. A processing step for storing a meter group and a second cost parameter group set for each road type in the specific area, and the parameter selection means as a cost parameter used in the navigation means outside the specific area Selecting the first cost parameter group, and selecting either the first cost parameter group or the second cost parameter group in the specific area, by the processing step, and the parameter selection means, A processing step of selecting the second cost parameter group when the vehicle position deviates from the current route and reroutes within a specific area is included.

Another aspect of the present invention is a navigation program for controlling a navigation device that guides and guides a moving body, in which the above aspect is regarded as a computer program. The program controls an arithmetic control unit of a computer. Thus, the navigation means for route calculation, the area setting means for accepting the setting of the area, the storage means for the cost parameter, and the parameter selection means for selecting the cost parameter are realized, and the navigation means And calculating the route to the destination based on the cost parameters set on the road, causing the area setting means to accept the setting as a specific area for the desired area, and the storage means Set for each location in the specific area and each road type outside the specific area. A first cost parameter group to be stored and a second cost parameter group to be set for each road type in the specific area, and the parameter selecting means has the specific area as a cost parameter used by the navigation means. The first cost parameter group is selected outside, the first cost parameter group or the second cost parameter group is selected in the specific area, and the vehicle position is determined in the specific area. The second cost parameter group is selected when reroute is performed outside the current route .

In this way, a route close to the user's request can be created by setting and using a parameter different from that outside the specific area designated by the user such as near the home. In addition, by selecting the second cost parameter group at the time of reroute within a specific area, it is possible to use a comfortable route that gives priority to ease of passage and security.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, as each of the cost parameter groups, the road type is an expressway, a national road, a prefectural road, a main road, or a narrow street, and a parameter value is set for each road type. It is characterized by.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the above aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method. As each of the cost parameter groups, the road type is an expressway, a national road, a prefectural road, a main road, a narrow street, and each road type. A parameter value is set.

  Thus, by setting and switching the parameter value for each appropriate road type, it is possible to easily change the parameter value with a moderate burden.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the navigation unit further sets a road priority in route calculation from a product of the first or second cost parameter group and a road distance. It is characterized by that.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the above aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method, and the road in the route calculation is calculated from the product of the first or second cost parameter group and the road distance by the navigation means. And a processing step for setting the priority of the process.

  In this way, by reflecting not only the cost parameter group but also the length of the road in the route calculation, a rational route with the shortest distance can be smoothly used in a specific area such as the vicinity of the home.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the parameter selection unit further includes the second cost parameter when the vehicle position deviates from the current route and performs reroute within a predetermined distance from the destination. A group is selected.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the above aspect is viewed from the viewpoint of a method.When the vehicle position is deviated from the current route and rerouted within a predetermined distance from the destination by the parameter selection unit, The method includes a processing step of selecting the second cost parameter group.

  As you can see, if you come close to your destination and deviate from the route, it is often a well-known place, whether or not it is a specific area that has been set in advance. By selecting a parameter group, it is possible to create a route in accordance with the user's intention such as a shortcut while using a comfortable route that prioritizes ease of passage and security.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the navigation device technology, it is possible to easily obtain the route preferred by the driver by switching the route calculation reference in a specific area such as the vicinity of the home, so that safety with less stress can be obtained. A comfortable drive can be realized.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that assumptions common to the explanation in the background art and problems are omitted as appropriate.

[1. Constitution〕
The present embodiment relates to a navigation device (hereinafter referred to as “the present device”) for guiding and guiding a moving body, and its configuration is shown in FIG. That is, the GPS unit 55, the vehicle speed estimation unit 60, the direction estimation unit 65, the display unit 75, the user interface 80, and the map data 85 conform to the conventional example (FIG. 4). The elements 20 to 50 shown in FIG. 1 are realized by controlling the arithmetic control unit 10 including the CPU, the memory, and the like by a predetermined computer program (not shown). Each of these elements 20 to 50 is a processing means that realizes and executes the following operational effects.

[2. (Overview of effects)
That is, as an outline of the operation of the present device, the navigation means 20 sequentially calculates the vehicle position, calculates the route to the destination based on the cost parameters set on the road, and the area setting means 30 A setting as a specific area is accepted for a desired area. And a first cost parameter group set for each road type outside the specific area, and a second cost parameter group set for each road type in the specific area together with the location of the specific area 40.

  Then, the parameter selection means 50 selects the first cost parameter group outside the specific area as the cost parameter used in the navigation means 20, and the first cost parameter group or the second cost parameter within the specific area. Select one of the cost parameter groups.

  In this way, a route close to the user's request can be created by setting and using a parameter different from that outside the specific area designated by the user such as near the home.

  In this embodiment, the navigation means 20 sets the priority of each road in the route calculation, that is, the ease of selection, from the product of the first or second cost parameter group and the road distance. . In this way, by reflecting not only the cost parameter group but also the length of the road in the route calculation, a rational route with the shortest distance can be smoothly used in a specific area such as the vicinity of the home.

[3. Example of processing)
Here, an example of a specific process is shown. In this example, as the first and second cost parameter groups, the road type is an expressway, a national road, a prefectural road, a main road, and a narrow street, and parameter values are set for each road type. Thus, by setting and switching the parameter value for each appropriate road type, it is possible to easily change the parameter value with a moderate burden.

  Further, the parameter selection means 50 selects the second cost parameter group when the vehicle position deviates from the current route and performs reroute within the specific area.

  Here, in a state where a range of a predetermined distance (for example, 10 km) centered on the latitude and longitude coordinates of the home is set in advance as a specific area, the route is calculated with the destination as the home, and the vehicle is off the route near the home, Assume that a reroute operation has been performed. This reroute is a process of automatically recalculating the route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination when the vehicle deviates from the currently set route.

  Here, in general, when the destination is set to home after traveling by car or the like, if the current location is a road that the driver does not know, the driver is often sufficiently comfortable if he follows the guidance of the navigation device. However, when driving around the home, the driver may select a road that is efficient for traveling to the home regardless of the instruction from the navigation device.

  At this time, the road selected by the driver is not limited to a large road on which many vehicles are traveling, but is often selected to be a close road even if it is a little narrow. This is the choice because the roads around my home are used to it, so I don't feel stress even on narrow roads. At this time, this apparatus performs reroute because the traveling vehicle deviates from the route calculated in advance.

  When the reroute process is started as described above, the cost parameter is changed in the present apparatus. Here, the value of the normal cost parameter is smaller for roads on which many vehicles travel, such as national roads and main roads. This cost parameter is changed to a common one as follows except for roads that cannot travel unconditionally such as expressways and toll roads.

In other words, outside the specific area,

Highway: 1
National highway: 2
Prefectural road: 3
Main road: 3
Narrow street: 5

In certain areas,

Highway: 1
National highway: 2
Prefectural road: 2
Main road: 2
Narrow street: 2

By changing in this way, the newly calculated remaining route is not influenced by the road type, but is purely based on a distance comparison.

  Thereby, it is possible to present the shortest route as desired by the driver. In addition, even if the driver is an unfamiliar person with the same vehicle, the reroute operation is not performed as long as the driver travels to the home as instructed by the guidance guidance output from the device. There is nothing.

  As described above, by selecting the second cost parameter group at the time of rerouting within a specific area, it is possible to use a comfortable route that gives priority to ease of travel and security.

[4. (Example of flowchart)
Next, FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a processing procedure corresponding to the present invention. This processing procedure is an example in which the second cost parameter group is selected by the parameter selection means 50 when the vehicle position deviates from the current route and is rerouted within a predetermined distance from the destination.

  That is, in this processing procedure, steps S03 to S06 conform to the conventional example shown in FIG. 5, but prior to that, when the route calculation processing is performed such as reroute after deviating the route, the starting point of the route calculation, that is, the current point When the distance is less than or equal to a predetermined reference distance (for example, 10 km) specified in advance (step S01), the cost parameter is set to the second cost parameter group as described above. It is to be changed (step S02).

  As you can see, if you come close to your destination and deviate from the route, it is often a well-known place, whether or not it is a specific area that has been set in advance. By selecting a parameter group, it is possible to create a route in accordance with the user's intention such as a shortcut while using a comfortable route that prioritizes ease of passage and security.

[5. Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The thing illustrated below and other embodiment other than that are included. For example, although the above embodiments have grasped and explained the present invention mainly in the category of apparatus, the present invention can also be grasped as a method and a computer program corresponding to the above embodiments. In addition, the road types and cost parameters described above are merely examples, and can actually be changed as appropriate according to mounting convenience.

The figure which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus in embodiment of this invention. The conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the map data in the conventional and embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of route search calculation in embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the structure of the conventional navigation apparatus. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the route search calculation in the conventional navigation apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Operation control part 20 ... Navigation means 30 ... Area setting means 40 ... Storage means 50 ... Parameter selection means 55 ... GPS part 60 ... Vehicle speed estimation part 65 ... Direction estimation part 75 ... Display part 80 ... User interface 85 ... Map data

Claims (9)

Navigation means for calculating the route to the destination based on the cost parameters set for the road, as well as sequentially calculating the vehicle position;
An area setting means for accepting a setting as a specific area for a desired area;
Storage means for storing the location in the specific area, a first cost parameter group set for each road type outside the specific area, and a second cost parameter group set for each road type in the specific area When,
As the cost parameter used in the navigation means, the first cost parameter group is selected outside the specific area, and either the first cost parameter group or the second cost parameter group is selected within the specific area. selecting, have a, a parameter selection means,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter selection means selects the second cost parameter group when the vehicle position deviates from the current route and performs reroute within the specific area . The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, as each of the cost parameter groups, a road type is an expressway, a national road, a prefectural road, a main road, or a narrow street, and a parameter value is set for each road type. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation unit sets a priority of a road in route calculation from a product of the first or second cost parameter group and a road distance. . The parameter selection means selects the second cost parameter group when the vehicle position deviates from the current route and performs reroute within a predetermined distance from the destination.
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein In a navigation method using a navigation device for guiding guidance of a moving object,
The electronic circuit or the calculation control unit of the computer realizes navigation means for route calculation, area setting means for accepting setting of the area, storage means for cost parameters, and parameter selection means for selecting cost parameters,
The navigation means sequentially calculates the vehicle position, and calculates a route to the destination based on a cost parameter set on the road;
A process step in which the area setting means accepts a setting as a specific area for a desired area;
In the storage means, a location of the specific area, a first cost parameter group set for each road type outside the specific area, a second cost parameter group set for each road type in the specific area, Processing steps for storing
The parameter selection means selects the first cost parameter group outside the specific area as the cost parameter used in the navigation means, and the first cost parameter group or the second cost parameter within the specific area. A process step for selecting one of the groups;
A processing step of selecting the second cost parameter group when the vehicle selecting position deviates from the current route and reroutes within the specific area by the parameter selection means.
A navigation method comprising: As each cost parameter group, the road type is an expressway, a national road, a prefectural road, a main road, or a narrow street, and a parameter value is set for each road type.
The navigation method according to claim 5, wherein: A processing step of setting a road priority in route calculation from the product of the first or second cost parameter group and the road distance by the navigation means.
The navigation method according to claim 5, further comprising : A processing step of selecting the second cost parameter group when the parameter selection means performs a reroute within a predetermined distance from the destination when the vehicle position deviates from the current route.
The navigation method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising : In a navigation program for controlling a navigation device for guiding and guiding a moving object,
The program is
By controlling the calculation control unit of the computer, a route calculation navigation unit, a region setting unit for receiving a region setting, a cost parameter storage unit, and a parameter selection unit for selecting a cost parameter are realized. ,
The navigation means sequentially calculates the position of the vehicle, and calculates the route to the destination based on the cost parameters set on the road,
Let the region setting means accept a setting as a specific region for a desired region,
In the storage means, a location of the specific area, a first cost parameter group set for each road type outside the specific area, a second cost parameter group set for each road type in the specific area, Remember
The parameter selection means causes the first cost parameter group to be selected outside the specific area as the cost parameter used in the navigation means, and the first cost parameter group or the second cost parameter within the specific area. Select one of the groups, and select the second cost parameter group when the vehicle position deviates from the current route and reroutes within the specific area.
A navigation program characterized by that.

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